In a surprising turn of events, the federal budget deficit has surged to an alarming $1.83 trillion for the recently concluded fiscal year. This staggering increase of 13% from the previous year has left many puzzled, especially since the economy is thriving, and there are no pandemics or large-scale conflicts to blame for this financial setback.
Let’s break down the key points contributing to this unprecedented deficit:
- President Joe Biden’s spending initiatives have led to a record high federal spending of $6.75 trillion last year, a significant spike of 11%.
- The federal education spending soared due to Biden’s college tuition bailout, which further added to the escalating deficit.
- While the impact of Biden’s bailout may diminish over time, the rise in Social Security and Medicare spending remains a constant threat to the economy.
- Notably, Medicare spending has surpassed defense spending for the first time in history, reaching $869 billion.
- Stunningly, the interest payments on existing federal debt have snowballed from $710 billion to $950 billion in the last fiscal year, surpassing total military spending.
It is essential to address the pressing concern of unsustainable federal spending, as higher taxes alone cannot remedy the situation. Despite record-high revenues of $4.9 trillion from existing tax rates, federal spending continues to outpace economic growth.
Moving forward, federal spending as a percentage of the economy is projected to rise to 24.1% in the next decade, an alarming trend that needs to be curbed. History shows that federal revenues have never exceeded 20% of the total economy, signifying the urgency to rein in spending.
In the current political landscape, the lack of concern from both presidential candidates about the growing deficits and unchecked spending is troubling. Instead of safeguarding key programs like Social Security and Medicare, promises of new entitlements and tax cuts are being made, further exacerbating the fiscal crisis.
Biden’s assertion that actions speak louder than words holds true in this scenario. With defense spending relegated to the fourth priority behind social welfare programs and debt payments, the country’s national security is at stake. In the face of rising global threats, a shrinking defense budget is a cause for concern, underscoring the need for immediate action.
It is imperative that we address the burgeoning federal spending problem before it transforms into a full-blown national security crisis. The time for corrective measures is now, and it is incumbent upon us to prioritize fiscal responsibility for the sake of our future.
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